Whittier Roar Whittier Mission:
Provide a well rounded education, in a safe
environment, where students will work as a
community of learners to accomplish
October 2009 educational goals.
2009-2010 School Calendar
Principal’s Corner Oct. 9 Fall Recess – NO SCHOOL
Dear Parents,
Thank you for attending Open House last month. Nov. 4 Picture Retakes
Open House is a wonderful opportunity to find out what Nov. 11 Veterans Day – NO SCHOOL
your child will be learning during the year and what their
Nov. 13 End of First Trimester
teacher’s expectations are for homework , academics and
behavior. Nov. 23 & 24 Parent/Teacher Conferences – NO SCHOOL
We are looking for parents who are interested in Nov. 25, 26 & 27 Thanksgiving Recess – NO SCHOOL
participating in the PTA this year. The PTA is involved in
fundraising activities and after hours activities for students
and parents. For example, last year the PTA organized the
Fall Festival around October. Parents and students
from the Health Office
participated in games, went through a haunted house and There is much collaboration and planning
ate lunch. Fall Festival was on a Saturday afternoon. If being done in the state and APS in regards to the
you are interested in participating in PTA, please contact H1N1 virus. The new guidance from the CDC recognizes
the office or Diane Kinnabrew at 255-2008. the need to balance the risks of illness among students and
There is no school on October 9 due to Fall Break. staff with the benefits of keeping students in school.
Currently, the best defense against illness is prevention.
Have a Wonderful Month, Families, students and school staff can keep from getting
Cindy Bazner sick with the flu in three ways:
Principal 1. Practicing good hand hygiene. Students and staff
members should wash their hands often with soap and
water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol
based hand sanitizers are also effective.
2. Practicing respiratory etiquette. The main way that
the flu is spread is from person to person in the droplets
Standards Based Progress Reports produced by coughs and sneezes, so its important to
As the first 9 weeks comes to an end, it is important to talk about cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you
the changes in report cards for our school. We will no longer be cough or sneeze. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or
using the report card, but instead the Standards Based Progress sneeze into your hands.
Report (SBPR). 3. Staying home if your sick. Keeping sick students at
home means that they keep their virus to themselves
The SBPR is different from the report cards of the past and will rather than sharing them with others.
take some getting used to. We are excited about the change as the If your child presents with fever and a cough or sore throat,
SBPRs give more detailed information about student performance you will be called to pick them up immediately. Sick
and really helps parents understand the areas of need for students. individuals must stay at home for at least 24 hours after
The new way of rating students is different than we have had in they no longer have fever or do not have signs of fever,
the past. Attached to the back of this edition of the Roar is a two without using fever-reducing drugs. Keeping children with a
page document from APS titles “Parents’ Guide to the Standards fever at home will reduce the number of people who may
Based Progress Report (SBPR).” We highly recommend you take get infected.
a look at it and become familiar with the new rating system.
At Open House, we handed out grade level standards. These are For more information, visit www.flu.gov, or call 1-800-CDC-
the standards which teachers will be rating students. If you have INFO for the most current information about the flu. For
not received a copy of the Parent Friendly standards, you are more information about flu in our community, and what our
welcome to ask your teacher for a copy. school is doing, visit the APS website or the NM
Department of Health website. We will notify you of any
additional changes to our school’s strategy to prevent the
spread of the flu.
— October Roar page 2
Whittier Roar October 2009 Page 2
Art
from the
Counselor’s Corner
Teacher Dear Parents,
As some of you might know, Friday, September 18 was my
Hello Whittier Families, last day at Whittier. It is with some sadness that I leave this
My name is Paula Ness, and I am excited to be at Whittier school and community. Whittier has undergone so many
changes in the last 8 years. We have experienced
Elementary as the APS Fine Arts Teacher! I will be
tremendous growth as a community. As for myself, I know
teaching on site for the full school year, providing students
that Whittier has helped to shape the type of school
with a variety of art experiences. The Art room is located
counselor I am today. When I first started at Whittier 8
in the Multi-Purpose room on the south side of the school.
years ago, I was fresh out of graduate school and very
This is a wonderful space for students to learn art in and I
am very happy to have a room dedicated to the creative inexperienced. This community has helped me grow and
process for the students of Whittier. learn to work with so many different individual and cultures
as well as so many different challenges that we face each
Lessons will focus on learning the basic elements of art. day. The children of Whittier are truly some of the most
Multi-cultural connection, geography, literacy, math, resilient children I have ever had the privilege to know.
science and history will be incorporated into many of the These students are smart, capable and have some of the
lessons, as well as the study of individual artists. largest hearts I have ever seen. I am sad to leave them. I
have seen siblings come and go from Whittier and have
Art can enhance the learning process by allowing students
gotten to know families through the eyes of the children
to make decisions, create and invent, build organizational
which is a wonderful sight.
skills, observe carefully, experience different materials and
their uses, while developing confidence and self esteem. Thank you to everyone who helped my along my journey.
Thank you to the parents who stop at nothing to make sure
If you have any questions or comments, please contact me their children succeed. Thank you to the staff which does
through the school and I will get back to you as soon as so many amazing things with your children to help them
possible. learn. Thank you Whittier!
I look forward to a great year! Respectfully,
Paula Ness, APS Art Specialist Heather Fried
Professional School Counselor
BE SAFE & courteous ! Everyday Reading Opportunities
slow down !
Excerpt from “Everyday Reading Opportunities”
http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/positive/all_reading/everyday_reading.html
We all need to work together to keep our Car trips, errands, and waits in checkout lines and doctor’s offices
students safe and be good neighbors. are all opportunities for reading. Keep books or magazines in
your car, diaper bag, or backpack to pull out whenever your ‘re
E c ~ d c going to be in one place for awhile. Even if you can’t finish a
Remember to practice patience and safety book, read a few pages or discuss some of the pictures.
Encourage older kids to bring favorite books and magazines along
in the parking lots and surrounding streets. wherever you go.
Please remember to use the pick-up/drop-off lane
on the East side of school, Other reading moments to take advantage of throughout the day:
don’t block our neighbors’ driveways,
and please don’t park in the bus lanes, • in the morning, before breakfast or getting dressed
• after dinner, when kids are relaxed
Thank you! • bath time (with plastic, waterproof books)
• bedtime
Reading opportunities are everywhere you go. Read signs aloud
to your baby while you’re driving. Ask your preschooler to
“read” pictures on boxes at the store and tell you
about them. Have older kids tell you what’s on the
shopping list.
— October Roar page 3
Whittier Roar
Banda Bear News October 11, 2009
September 2009 Page 23
Everyday Math
Indian Education Representatives Needed: Bandelier Community Bulletin Board
Academic Improvement Plans (AIPs)
The Indian Parent Committee & the APS Indian Education • • • • •
- by Miguel Valdez, 4th vacant, one for
Committee have two positionsGrade Teacher an at-large parent You may have already gone through the Academic
Carpenter/Handyman For Hire
The Everydayfrom for aAlbuquerque student representative. in
representative
Math Curriculum has been used a student
the community with Improvement Plan (AIP) with your student, you may have just
APS and one high school
Framing, “remodel add-ons”, you about it, or you may not
had your student’s teacher talk to door & window installation,
here at Whittier Elementary for the past eight years. It is a
For information, call the Indian Education Office at 884-6392,
paint & trim, drywall repair, floor tile, demolition,
even know what an AIP is. Regardless of where you fall on the
researched based or visit www.apsied.com. has been
approved curriculum that yard work & trash hauling. Minor home repairs are our specialty.
continuum, here’s some information for you on the process and
Honest & reliable. Reasonable rates with excellent references.
Indian Parent Committee Cluster.
adopted by the whole Highland Meeting Set for Sept. 16: why.
Please call Avery at 907-4110.
Multiple times a year students are given district
Everyday Math uses the spiral method approach tomeeting at
The Indian Parent Committee will hold their monthly • • • • •
assessments that determeine whether or not the students is
learning. The16, in the Ziaparents are encouragedtheattend.
6 pm, Sept. Elementary Cafeteria, 440 Jefferson
spiral method teaches students to material For and math. If a student fails to
proficient in the areas of reading Sale!
NE. All native APS
and then touches on it throughout future units as attain proficiency, the student qualifies for an AIP. An AIP is a
Twin over twin space saver style bunk bed, desk,
bookcase written to help the student attain proficiency by and
plan that isand drawers attached; includes 2 twin mattressesthe a
well. Learners may not master the concept the first time spring. spring. Great price the specific areas of need and addresses
box The plan looks at $250. Perfect for families with small
it is covered, but due to the spiral methods they will have what classroom and home interventions are needed to help the
children or to have an extra bed for sleepovers.
other opportunities to learn and utilize the concepts. Call Karen or measurements (called short cycle
student. The plan uses specificJohn at 265-2856
assessment) to determine progress. •By law, Kindergarten
• • • •
You can see examples of this method in your child’s math students are not a part of the AIP process.
journals. In math boxes, the first set of boxes cover the Gingerbread & Gumdrops Holiday Craft Show
Teachers must complete AIPs for students prior of the
Saturday, November 7 • 9:00 AM–4:00 PM
material that has already been covered, the second set of end of the second grading period. We encourages parents to be
Congregational Preschool at 2801 Lomas Blvd, NE.
boxes are material that is currently being covered, and involved in the writing of the AIP. Most teachers will start
Contact Madeline Edgar at 884-8567 or rmedgar@msn.com for
talking to you and/or writing the AIP arount Parent Teacher
the last set of math boxes is a preview of what is to come. details or to reserve a vendor space.
Conference week. Teachers are responsible for contacting you
Everyday Math includes many aspects of everyday life. It the • • •
and letting you know about • • AIP. They are required to
brings the student’s prior knowledge into the classroom. Need a Housekeeper?
documents their attempts to contact you.
Call if you refuse to sign
So what happensMargaret: 842-8614 the AIP or choose
The program uses a lot of manipulatives which are a variety not to be involved in the process? Well, of course we want our
• • • • •
of materials that students can physically see and parents involved at all times but unfortunately, this do not always
Done!
Yard WorkNew Mexico state law says
handle. Students receive a hands-on approach to learning happen. It is important to note that
Call Jimmy: 859-6744
that is directed by the teacher. Students also get the that students not attaining proficiency must participate in
• • • • •
academic improvement programs designed by the school district.
opportunity to learn a variety of games that relate to the
Preschool Openings
The AIP is written regardless of whether or not a parent signs the
concepts they are learning. The students at Whittier Congregational Preschool, in outreach of Again, we want to
document and/or is involved an the process. First Congregational
Elementary are enjoying this non-traditional way of learning UCC at 2801 Lomas required has openings for Four/Five-Year-
stress that a teacher is Blvd, NEto make attempts to contact you
Old program for the document their attempts. We want you
and they are required to2009-10 school year. Our non-sectarian
program believes children learn there are not and welcomes all
involved in the whole process so through play, suprises in the end.
families. Call 265-5749 necessary progress by
If your student makes the for more information. the
Commercial Games That Use Math spring, the students will be promoted to the next grade level
• • • • •
Counting, Adding, and Subtracting without the AIP. If your students fails to make adequate progress,
Chutes and Ladders (3+), Hi Ho! Cherry-O (3+), Sorry! (6+), there are several options. First, if the student has made attempts
Trouble (5+), Uno (6+) Art in the School
and has made growth, but is just not quite at the level needed, a
student can be promoted to the next grade with an AIP. This
Attributes, Patterns, and Geometry
Crazy Eights —traditional card game (4+), Guess Who? (6+), Guess
Where? (6+), jigsaw puzzles, Rummikub (8+), tangrams (5+)
NEEDS YOU!
means that the interventions will continue the next year. Another
option is to request the student go to summer school. Students
who have AIPs written and submitted to the district prior to the
Strategy and Spatial Perception Bandelier’s Art in the School program needs YOU!
end of the second grading period, summer school is provided by
The a-MAZE-ing Labyrinth (8+), Battleship (7+), Checkers (3+), If you are interested recommendation the School
the district. A final option is in being an Art in for retention. This
Clue Jr. (5+), Clue (8+), Connect Four (7+), Jenga (6+) , Mancala volunteer for your child’s classroom,
option is the last option teachers would like to see happen, but
(6+), Memory (6+), Mille Bornes (8+), Othello (8+) please contactis the best for the student. It is important to
sometimes retention Katy Slota at slotaclan@comcast.net.
We that according volunteers for state law if a parent refuses to
note especially needto New Mexico the 3rd, 4th and 5th grades.
The retention, the student World of Art: Distant grade
allow2009-10 Theme is “Awill be prometed to the next Shores”
Mexicali Popcorn • the AIP. Biography: fails to make adequate progress that
withAn HeroicIf the studentAssyria’s Royal Portraits in Relief
WORDPLAY, I NC.
From FamilyFun.com • year, the students will Mask
next African Safari: Craft a be retained. No parental approval is
Languages
Ingredients: for Children at Bandelier necessary. Kuna Women Create a Layered World
• Molal
10 cups popped popcorn Mon • 3:15-4:15 Our goal and hope is that if your child is in need of an
French Beginners: • Let’s Explore Modern Painting: Mondrian, Kandinsky,
1 tablespoon Intermediate: Tues • 3:15-4:15
French taco seasoning AIP, that you are involved every step of the way. We need your
1/4 cup melted butter • 3:15-4:15 Frankenthaler and Stella
German: Tues help. If you have questions regarding the AIP process, you are
1/4 grated Colby or Cheddar Cheese
Japanese: Wed • 3:15-4:15 Volunteers receive training to present the lessons, and no teaching
welcome to ask you students teacher or contact the office. We
the popcorn in a large bowl. In a &Wed • 3:15-4:15
PlaceSpanish A (2nd-6th Grades): Monsmall bowl, mix the taco happy to talk to is necessary in order to
will be or art experienceyou about the process. participate.
Spanish the 1st Grades): Wed • 3:15-4:15
seasoning withB (K-butter. Add grated cheese, then stir into the
warm popcorn. Makes 10 cups.
You will have as much fun as the kids!
To register: 505-203-6255 or wordplayforchildren@yahoo.com
— October Roar page 3
Whittier Roar October 2009 Page 4
5th Grade Student
Mr. Miner’s Class
Submissions
“Here is an Acrostic Poem poem done by one of my 5th
grade students. She completed this as part of her Genre
Mr. Hedges Class - Can Poster. Pairs of students completed a genre poster
following our genre study that included the following: Genre
you guess what it is ? name, Description, Book List, and art/design to go with it. “
Today I’m going to describe a shirt and
you will draw a picture of it. If you guess it Nonfiction - By Eleese Bender, 5th Grade
correctly then I described it good. Okay, lets
begin.
It is a yellow shirt. It has a blue upside
down triangle on the front from top to bottom. Nonfiction is something real
In red, bold letters on the triangle it says
“Bimbo.”
Over a million books in stores
On the back of the shirt on the very top in
blue it has a number 10. At the very bottom of
the shirt it says “S. Cabanas.” It you look at Never will you see a lie in this section
the tip top it says “Coca Cola” in red letters.
The collar is blue and with yellow letters it
says the name of the team. Can you guess Fiction is fake like a monkey-jumping fly
what team shirt this is? Was it easy or hard?
Were you right?
I have never seen a monkey in the sky
(Answer: A Club America Jersey)
By Eliasib
Continue to read what lifes about
Chavira
It looks like two cones stuck together. It This genre is so amazing it will make you shout!
has a rough surface. The white line looks like
a zipper. It smells like burnt rubber when you
use it. It is usually brown. It looks like a In some its people passing away
brown lemon. Some people use it to play
with. Can you guess what it is?
(Answer: A regular football) Or people and how they live everyday
By Felipe
Now climb into your tents, and let me show you
some amazing books!